Handheld device for the detection of electrostatic discharge

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a handheld device for the detection of electrostatic discharge, comprising an evaluation unit, and a cable antenna, wherein the cable antenna is formed in a coil-like manner with a number n of windings, with n≥2, each winding being wound around a winding axis, a diameter of each winding is less than 30 cm, and the windings of the cable antenna are spaced apart from each other, preferably by means of at least one spacer.

1 . A handheld device for the detection of electrostatic discharge, comprising
 an evaluation unit,   a cable antenna ( 1 ;  1 ′) made of a coaxial cable, and   at least one spacer, wherein   the cable antenna ( 1 ;  1 ′) is formed in a coil-like manner with a number n of windings ( 2 ;  2 ′), with n≥2,   each winding ( 2 ;  2 ′) is wound around a winding axis,   a diameter (ØC; ØS) of each winding ( 2 ;  2 ′) is less than 30 cm,   the windings ( 2 ;  2 ′) of the cable antenna ( 1 ;  1 ′) are spaced apart from each other by means of said at least one spacer, and   said at least one spacer is dimensioned to provide for a distance between the windings ( 2 ;  2 ′) residing within a range of 80% to 120% of an outer diameter of the coaxial cable.   
     
     
         2 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the number n of windings ( 2 ;  2 ′) is n>2, preferably with 3≤n≤11;   the winding axis is a common winding axis;   a diameter (ØC; ØS) of each winding ( 2 ;  2 ′) is about 5 cm; and/or   diameters (ØC; ØS) of adjacent windings ( 2 ;  2 ′) differ from each other.   
     
     
         3 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein
 all windings ( 2 ;  2 ′) exhibit a shape consistent with each other; and/or   a winding shape of the cable antenna ( 1 ;  1 ′) is chosen from the group of shapes consisting of circular, elliptical, triangular, square, polygonal, and a combination thereof.   
     
     
         4 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein
 each spacer is made of an insulating material, preferably plastic material, further preferably polyvinylchloride, polypropylene, or polytetrafluoroethylene.   
     
     
         5 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the windings ( 2 ;  2 ′) of the cable antenna ( 1 ;  1 ′) are spaced apart from each other by means of at least two spacers, with the two spacers preferably being arranged in an opposing manner, or   the windings ( 2 ;  2 ′) of the cable antenna ( 1 ;  1 ′) are spaced apart from each other by means of at least three spacers, with the spacers preferably being arranged in an equidistant manner.   
     
     
         6 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein the cable antenna ( 1 ;  1 ′) is made of a coaxial cable with an inner conductor comprising silver. 
     
     
         7 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein the evaluation unit comprises
 an oscilloscope;   a display;   a wireless communication module; and/or   a network analyzer.   
     
     
         8 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein the handheld device is configured for stationary use with a container. 
     
     
         9 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein the handheld device is adapted for use with a container with a small inner volume, further preferably a container with an inner volume of less than 30 l. 
     
     
         10 . The handheld device of  claim 1 , wherein the handheld device is adapted for measurement in a reactor for chemical production, with the chemical production preferably including processing of suspensions of low conductivity. 
     
     
         11 . Use of a handheld device as claimed in  claim 1  for the detection of electrostatic discharge in a surrounding containing an explosive atmosphere. 
     
     
         12 . Use of a handheld device as claimed in  claim 1  for the detection of electrostatic discharge in a container with a volume of less than 30 l, preferably in a reactor for chemical production. 
     
     
         13 . Use of a handheld device of  claim 11 , wherein the handheld device is used for evaluation of a type of electrostatic discharge and the probability of appearance and ignitability of the electrostatic discharges. 
     
     
         14 . Use of a handheld device of  claim 11 , wherein the detection of electrostatic discharge is carried out on demand. 
     
     
         15 . Use of a handheld device of  claim 11 , wherein the detection of electrostatic discharge is carried out continuously, preferably with a sampling rate of 2 μs.